Scam targets Kentucky Power utility customers

Small business owners who are customers of Kentucky Power are the latest targets of scam artists seeking to extort cash. The scam, which instructs customers to purchase prepaid debit cards, such as a Vanilla or Green Dot, has been used in other states.

“Customers are receiving calls from a person who tells them that Kentucky Power or AEP no longer accepts payments by check or credit card, that their payments have been returned and that they owe $1,000 that must be paid immediately with a prepaid credit card. This is completely false,” said Spokesperson Jeri Matheney.

Utility company scams, unfortunately, are common. While there are instances when Kentucky Power will contact customers over the telephone, the company does not demand payment in this manner, Matheney said.